Back in the late 60's and most of the 70's after returning home from military, I bought numerous Tri Fives that were all non running cars. Most were '57 Chevy Belairs and 210's, with some '55's also. I either got them running and sold them, or cleaned them up and resold them. Some were clunkers that I stripped down and sold parts off to make some money. I had a '57 Belair, and a '55 150 business coupe at the time, so extra cash to use on those was all I wanted. Paid $50-$150 each then for good solid cars with no rotted out floors. 4 doors almost always got parted out for front clips and trunk lids, or parts generic to all models. Except for one 4 door wagon that was really clean that I built into a Gasser style build with a truck axle, and SBC/4 speed combo to resell.
I’m glad to see I’m not the only one who has struggled with thermostat housings on SBC’s. Never had any kind of trouble with any other engine, but ironically I still think the Chevy design is pretty great. In two years late to tell you the Ford looks amazing.
HA HA, that's funny. I purchase MY first car, a cut up 1929 A sedan for $78 that's including sales tax as the old man had it behind his business. I earned that money by picking oranges in the groves. I also was 13 years old. And I still have it.
We got the horn working today, pals Frank and Ross fixed the wiring to the horn relay, loosened the column, then moved the column sleeve up enough to make contact with the button. I had no idea this was adjustable! Bam- horn blows! First time since at least 1976,pretty cool
Been clicking off the little stuff that has bothering me for awhile. Adjust driver's door- done. Closes mint now, very happy. Bought door handle clips so the window crank doesn't fall on the floor EVERY time I close the door! Installed said clips 1-door window 1 quarter window. Trimmed headliner back to remove wrinkles and installed quarter window garnish moldings.
Great car, neat story and project. Best of luck moving your '57 into Phase 2. You guys that have the long histories with the same cars are the smart ones. You have something good and you've kept it! A buddy of mine still has the '57 Chevy 2-door sedan he got when he was in high school, while I've had several rides that I dearly wish were still with me. Too late smart, I guess. There's a little tidbit I've often heard: "Selling only leads to future regret."
I purchased my 1929 Ford Business Coupe in 1968, 57 years ago. I purchased it from the son of the original owner for $600. The son never registered the car after his dad passed away so technically I'm the second owner. I can't believe that in four years from now the car will be one hundred years old!
40 years ago was looking for a 35/36 flat back Tudor. Saw this as a project in the local paper , 5 miles from home. Full body off rebuild, got married in it , kids grew up in it. I guess it’s a keeper . Have moved on from the 35/36 fad. Though a sedan would be nice for all the grandkids now. Too many coupes ,roadsters and small pickups in the shop.
Great story, glad to see you are enjoying the car. This upcoming July 2nd will be 57 years ago I bought my avatar, it will be with me until the end. When someone asks about buying it my reply is “ talk to my widow”.
I decided to put Jere Sheehan's plate on the Chevy. This was on his 'Swinger' for decades. It looks better here than hanging in the garage
Hey 33 years is the amount of times Ive gone around this globe and when I claimed my 33 pickup as my own, lol.
I got my 57 in August of 1964. The guy worked for my Dad's company and was getting rid (as in going to the wrecking yard). I took it and left it until I graduated High School in 1965. It had dented front fenders, and both doors had creases in them. The front bumper and pans were a mess from parking on the streets of Brooklyn. My older brother towed the car to my Dad's house in Copiague. Around June of 1965 my cousin and I were on the way to church and the traffic was backed up, so we went a different way. We passed a house with a 57 Fury sitting in the driveway on blocks. I knocked on the door and a grumpy old guy with a cigar wearing a bath robe said, " put some tires on it and take it away and it is yours" After church, we went back with the tires from my car and brought it home. It was missing the transmission, and the engine only had the block left and it was frozen. I picked up a 1960 318 engine and torque flite, took it apart and rebuilt it with Jahns pistons and an Isky cam. I used the two four set up from my car and added Hedman headers. I swapped the body parts and put it in black primer. My cousin and I had it ready by that August. The car has gone through a lot of changes since then, but I still drive it when I can. I would have kept the other car, but it had no paperwork and the plaques with the numbers were missing from the firewall and door jam. We figured something was not right. We brought it to the recycling center, and they took it with no questions asked.
I looked at the Model A hot rod in the garage that I "just bought" and realized I have had it 22 years. And that the dreaded hybrid that's been my DD is 17 years old on the original battery. Fingers crossed.
Been clicking off some long overdue issues on the 57. Items like a working horn, windshield wipers that work without falling off, a legible front plate all for a common goal. Today was the day
Obviously not mine at the time of this photo, it’s been 54 years with this one. I’m the little guy, with my sister - 50 Merc in the driveway… You have a nice project, keep at it !
Great stories and amazing to hear so many folks kept their cars all them years. I built this 34 years ago …I really need to get her out for a drive
Bought this 33 years ago, this month. Got it ready, in 3 weeks, to attend "The Flood" in Louisville that year. Lucky, my wife stayed back at the hotel with our 18 month old son, due to the forecast weather. That was an understatement. Here's a picture from then.
The home made pistol grip shifter I've been running for the last couple of years has been sloppy and cumbersome. I had a few minutes so I swapped it out for the one that came with the car in 1990. OMG! What a difference!!! So much bettah
Replaced the condenser in the Mallory dual point yesterday. It was cutting out, popping and farting the last couple of times I've driven it. Ran way better today leading a pack of Camsnappers up to NH for lunch. I bought a spare for the glove box too
Yup, I drove a Model A and a 1945 Ford PU to high school. Purchased the cut up 29 sedan in early July, 1965 at age 13. As long as it is about town, a stock Model A does quite well. Drove a 31 Model A pickup to college on a daily basis. Kicking, paid $500 for it and drove it home with a bed load of parts. Sold the parts for $500 at a swap meet and later sold the truck for $850 in 1974. Dumb move.
@chevy57dude mine is a BelAir 2dr sedan. Sierra bronze/Adobe beige originally. 6 cylinder 3spd stick. Only a few options- electric wipers, radio, and heater
I got this in 1960. Four 4-cylinders, a flathead and five SBC's. Going ground up with number 6. SBC, Ford toploader, jeep shifter, bronco rear, etc. I've driven it 486,000 miles so far.
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